XXVII. A Description of the Church of Melbourne in Derbyshire, with an Attempt to explain from it the real Situation of the Porticus in the ancient Churches. By William Wilkins, Esq. F.A.S.

Abstract

There are but few subjects of architectural art to be met with in this kingdom which were executed from the period of the departure of the Romans to the reign of king Alfred; and indeed the records are but few, and rather barren, to which any reference can be made, or which are to be relied upon with respect to them. The writings of venerable Bede, the Book of Domesday, and a few others, have, however, transmitted authorities on which some dependance may be placed. With respect to buildings, their descriptions are generally short, and leave much room for conjecture; yet a sufficiency may be gathered from them in several instances to assist the Antiquary in his researches. The following extract from Domesday Book shews that the manor of Melbourne in the county of Derby (which lieth in the hundred and deanry of Repton, and is in the diocese of Litchfield and Coventry) [a] is an ancient demesne of the crown, under the head of Terra Regis.